The South Korean Ferry Tragedy: A Way Out of the Grief

Monday

May 5, 2014 at 12:35 PMMay 5, 2014 at 2:15 PM

There are no adequate words to describe the deep grief of the families who lost loved ones on the South Korean ferry that suddenly capsized on April 16. Sadly, most of the 476 passengers on board were high school students who were en route to a field trip on the holiday island of Jeju. More than 300 of those passengers perished.

News reports reveal parents reacting with both anguish and anger. Many question the boat's compliance with safety regulations, as well as emergency response procedures.

While looking for culprits and striking out in anger seem like natural human responses in such a situation, they will never bring healing answers. So what can be done to find peace and comfort in the aftermath?

Faith in the consistent power of good and God's enduring love is a place to start. Many turn to prayer in times of great need and find it's the only solace that truly comforts. A hymn I love called “Consolation” is full of promise:

“Like as a mother, God comforteth his children; Comfort is calm, that bids all tumult cease; Comfort is hope and courage for endeavor, Comfort is love whose home abides in peace.” (Christian Science Hymnal, Words by Maria Louise Baum)

Mothering calm, hope, courage, love, peace--these extinguish the flames of anger, anguish, fear, hopelessness, grief. Each one of us is deeply connected to this Mother-Love, or divine comfort, that gently steers our thoughts and lifts our lives towards forgiveness and regeneration.

A beautiful example of forgiveness is found in the life of Nelson Mandela. Despite losing over a quarter century of the prime of his life to prison, he emerged with a message of peace and reconciliation for his fellow South Africans. His message ultimately earned him the presidency in the first post-apartheid elections in his country's history.

His victory wasn't without its sacrifices. He lost both his mother and his son while he was in prison. He missed out on the raising of his girls and he and his wife, Winnie, were divorced not long after his freedom.

“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires,” he said.

How does this apply to the average person who may not share the same passion for changing the world as Mandela--but who nevertheless searches for freedom on some level?

Deep within each one of us is the desire to fight for good and to live a life of purpose. This comes from our spiritual nature, which is the substance of who we are and truly advocates for our life, filling it with purpose and lasting joy.

So while the parents and others in South Korea walk through their own proverbial “shadow of death” (Psalm 23) it is nevertheless possible for them to rest beside still waters and find green pastures that will refresh and nourish a new sense of life and bring them out of the depths of despair. Each one of us can affirm that they will not be left comfortless.

Ingrid Peschke writes regularly about the relationship between consciousness, spirituality, and health. She's a regular contributor to Huffington Post and her blog is Changing Tides of Health. For the last ten years she worked in publishing as a print/digital editor in Boston for a weekly magazine. She is a Christian Science practitioner and also the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Massachusetts.

There are no adequate words to describe the deep grief of the families who lost loved ones on the South Korean ferry that suddenly capsized on April 16. Sadly, most of the 476 passengers on board were high school students who were en route to a field trip on the holiday island of Jeju. More than 300 of those passengers perished.News reports reveal parents reacting with both anguish and anger. Many question the boat's compliance with safety regulations, as well as emergency response procedures.While looking for culprits and striking out in anger seem like natural human responses in such a situation, they will never bring healing answers. So what can be done to find peace and comfort in the aftermath?Faith in the consistent power of good and God's enduring love is a place to start. Many turn to prayer in times of great need and find it's the only solace that truly comforts. A hymn I love called “Consolation” is full of promise:“Like as a mother, God comforteth his children; Comfort is calm, that bids all tumult cease; Comfort is hope and courage for endeavor, Comfort is love whose home abides in peace.” (Christian Science Hymnal, Words by Maria Louise Baum)Mothering calm, hope, courage, love, peace--these extinguish the flames of anger, anguish, fear, hopelessness, grief. Each one of us is deeply connected to this Mother-Love, or divine comfort, that gently steers our thoughts and lifts our lives towards forgiveness and regeneration.A beautiful example of forgiveness is found in the life of Nelson Mandela. Despite losing over a quarter century of the prime of his life to prison, he emerged with a message of peace and reconciliation for his fellow South Africans. His message ultimately earned him the presidency in the first post-apartheid elections in his country's history.His victory wasn't without its sacrifices. He lost both his mother and his son while he was in prison. He missed out on the raising of his girls and he and his wife, Winnie, were divorced not long after his freedom.“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires,” he said.How does this apply to the average person who may not share the same passion for changing the world as Mandela--but who nevertheless searches for freedom on some level?Deep within each one of us is the desire to fight for good and to live a life of purpose. This comes from our spiritual nature, which is the substance of who we are and truly advocates for our life, filling it with purpose and lasting joy.So while the parents and others in South Korea walk through their own proverbial “shadow of death” (Psalm 23) it is nevertheless possible for them to rest beside still waters and find green pastures that will refresh and nourish a new sense of life and bring them out of the depths of despair. Each one of us can affirm that they will not be left comfortless.Ingrid Peschke writes regularly about the relationship between consciousness, spirituality, and health. She's a regular contributor to Huffington Post and her blog is Changing Tides of Health. For the last ten years she worked in publishing as a print/digital editor in Boston for a weekly magazine. She is a Christian Science practitioner and also the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Massachusetts.